Keep Forsyth County Beautiful (KFCB) will host four free workshops designed to help citizens learn how to protect local waterways through the Adopt-A-Stream program. The goal of the Adopt-A-Stream program is to inform citizens about local water quality and advise on ways to protect the county’s water.

The first workshop is Bacterial and Chemical Monitoring. This workshop will be held on Saturday, January 14 at the Hampton Park Library and on Saturday, February 18 at the Sharon Forks Library. Both workshops will be from 1 to 4 p.m. During the Bacterial and Chemical Monitoring workshop, attendees will learn how to test a stream for dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, E. coli and more.

The second workshop is Biological Monitoring. This workshop will be held on Saturday, January 21 at the Hampton Park Library and on Saturday, March 3 at the Sharon Forks Library. Both workshops will be from 1 to 4 p.m. During the Biological Monitoring workshop, attendees will learn how to take an inventory of macroinvertebrates in the stream, which can help determine the overall health of the stream. 

“The Adopt-A-Stream program strives to raise public awareness about water quality and it enlists the public’s support and action in monitoring and protecting water resources,” KFCB Community Outreach Specialist Kevin Smith said. “The program is a great opportunity for citizens to take a leading role in protecting our water resources and to be involved in their community.” 

To register for these free workshops, visit www.connectforsyth.org. To receive additional information, contact Kevin Smith at 678.513.5892 or via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Hampton Park Library is located at 5345 Settingdown Road. The Sharon Forks Library is located at 2820 Old Atlanta Road.

Forsyth County’s Adopt-A-Stream program is part of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division.

Looking back to 2011, we’d like to take this opportunity to update you on the many activities Smart Growth Forsyth County has been involved with this past year.  In 2011, SGFC:

• Worked with Academy Sports, County officials and Community stakeholders to ensure the Peachtree Parkway Overlay minimum standards were not compromised.  Academy Sports opened successfully at The Avenue this Fall.
• Was invited to participate as a Stakeholder in the Comprehensive Plan Update
• Hosted a non-partisan community forum regarding SPLOST VII
• Is currently working with the Director of Planning and developers to help “Make Forsyth More User Friendly” and still uphold the building standards as set forth in our Unified Development Code.

Smart Growth also worked with various neighborhoods, developers and the County regarding rezoning issues and offered its expertise in numerous matters:

• Avington – senior and residential development
• Deerlake - NTB at Lowes
• Grand Cascades - consultant to riparian buffer issue
• Laurel Springs – rezoning for Zaxbys
• Marseille - advice and counsel
• Raskarity – home occupancy permit for auto repair shop
• Beazer at Old Atlanta Road
• Carson Development at Boyd and McGinnis Ferry roads
• Unified Development Code changes to variances
• Continued work to clarify Mathis Airport issues
• Big Creek Watershed impervious surface issue

As we move into 2012, we are asking for your financial support as we continue monitoring issues related to quality growth and development in Forsyth County. We can’t do this without you - please consider a donation to SGFC by clicking on the donation button, or sending a check made payable to:

Smart Growth Forsyth County
11950 Jones Bridge Road
Suite 115-137
Johns Creek, GA 30005

We wish you and your families a happy new year and thank you for continuing to

“Keep On Believing”!

Claudia Castro~Dee Roodehchi~Jack Gleason~Robert Slaughter~Susan Foster